Sensing Apparatus And Method - There is described a sensor for sensing the parameter, the sensor comprising a transmit aerial, an intermediate coupling element, a receive aerial electromagnetically coupled to the transmit aerial via the intermediate coupling element, a signal generator operable to generate a periodic excitation signal at a first frequency, and arranged to apply the generated excitation signal to the transmit aerial in order to generate a sense signal in the receive aerial indicative of the value of the parameter to be measured and a signal processor operable to process the signal induced in the receive aerial to determine a value representative of the parameter being measured. The intermediate coupling element includes a frequency shifter which, in response to the periodic excitation signal being applied to the transmit aerial, generates a sense signal in the receive aerial having a signal component at a second frequency which is different from the first frequency, and the signal processor is operable to process the signal at the second frequency to determine the value representative of the parameter being measured.

2008-08-28

20080204117

Electrical Circuit Arrangement - The invention relates to an electrical circuit arrangement for generating signal events for initiating or carrying out switching, adjusting or releasing processes. According to the first invention aspect, the inventive electric circuit arrangement comprises an input component for carrying out a selection process for generating an input event and a switching component for generating a switching signal according to the input event evaluation, wherein said input component is constructed in such a way that, in framework of said selection process, the input event is injected into the user actuating the switching component on the base of the interactive effect of electric fields and said switching component is provided with an interface device for detecting the input event injected into the user or acting therein, the input component and the interface device are placed in the operating position in such a way that the signal transmission therebetween is carried out in a signal transmission path integrating the user when it actuates the input component, thereby making it advantageously possible to transmit the user input operation indicative signals to the switching component through said user, wherein said transmission can be carried out only when the user actually initiates an input and thereby can be used in the form of a signal transmitting medium.

2008-08-28

20080204118

Inductive Proximity Switch Based on a Transformer Coupling Factor Principle - The invention relates to a preferably ferriteless inductive proximity switch having at least one transmitting coil, one oscillator circuit and at least two receiving coils arranged in the alternating magnetic field of the transmitting coil, whereby the transmitting coil and the receiving coil are arranged adjacent to each other on a printed circuit board, and also having an evaluation circuit connected to the receiving coil for evaluating the received signal of the receiving coils when a target approaches the proximity switch. The receiving coils (E

2008-08-28

20080204119

DEVICE PROVIDING TRIM VALUES - Devices comprising trimmable electric units and methods for providing trim values to electric units are presented herein. One such device comprises a trimmable electric unit, at least one fuse to provide at least one first trim value, and a trim value provision unit to provide at least one second trim value, and a register. The register, which is connected to the electric unit, the at least one fuse, and the trim value provision unit, selectively stores the first and/or the second trim values and provides them to the electric unit. Optionally, a third trim value may be used. In the case of integrated circuits, provision of the trim values allows for on-chip debugging without waiting for creation of a test program used by automatic testing equipment at the wafer probe stage.

2008-08-28

20080204120

PIN NUMBER REDUCTION CIRCUIT AND METHODOLOGY FOR MIXED-SIGNAL IC, MEMORY IC, AND SOC - The pin number reduction circuit circuits and methodology of the present invention provide a higher pseudo power supply and a lower pseudo power supply for a digital functional section in mixed-signal IC, memory IC, and SOC including analog functional section and digital (or memory) functional section in order to reduce digital noise coupling. The circuit and methodology of the present invention basically includes resistors, capacitors, transistors, and amplifiers. It is noted that analog functional section is coupled between a positive power supply and a negative power supply, which are connected to two pins.

Circuit for eliminating pop sounds at power on and off by a moderate waveform - A circuit for eliminating pop sounds at power on and off by a moderate waveform, which includes a switch, a feedback network, an operational amplifier and an output network. When power-on, a first input terminal of the switch is connected to a low voltage, and an output terminal of the output network provides an operating DC bias which is gradually increased. When power-off, the first input terminal of the switch is connected to a reference voltage, and the output terminal of the output network provides an operating DC bias which is gradually reduced.

2008-08-28

20080204123

SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICE - A semiconductor device includes a P-substrate, an N-well disposed in the P-substrate, an NMOS transistor disposed in the P-substrate and having one of a source and a drain connected to a ground voltage, a P-tap disposed in the P-substrate and connected to a low voltage so as to provide the P-substrate with the low voltage to be lower than the ground voltage, a PMOS transistor disposed in the N-well and having a source connected to a power supply voltage, an N-tap disposed in the N-well and connected to the power supply voltage so as to provide the N-well with the power supply voltage, and a depression-type PMOS transistor having a drain connected to the low voltage and a source connected to the ground voltage so as to prevent a parasitic transistor, which may exist among the PMOS transistor, the N-well, the NMOS transistor, and the P-substrate, from causing a latchup between the power supply voltage and the ground voltage due to the low voltage rising higher than the ground voltage, and for becoming in a conductive state brought by a gate substantially connected to the ground voltage to maintain the low voltage to be substantially at the ground voltage until a possibility that the low voltage rises higher than the ground voltage is eliminated.

2008-08-28

20080204124

Fine-Grained Power Management of Synchronous and Asynchronous Datapath Circuits - A power management circuit is provided for controlling power dissipation in at least one combinational logic circuit. The power management circuit includes a detector operative to receive at least a first input signal to the combinational logic circuit and to detect a transition of the first input signal between a first logic state and a second logic state. The detector generates a control signal indicative of whether or not a transition of the first input signal has occurred. The power management circuit further includes a controller operative to receive the first control signal generated by the detector and to selectively disconnect the first combinational logic circuit from a power supply to the first combinational logic circuit when no logic transition of the first input signal is detected between a preceding computational cycle and a present computational cycle of the first combinational logic circuit, and to connect the first combinational logic circuit to the power supply when a logic transition of the first input signal is detected.

2008-08-28

20080204125

Internal voltage generator - An internal voltage generator is disclosed. The internal voltage generator may include a comparator for controlling a voltage of a first node in response to a voltage difference between a reference voltage and an internal voltage, an internal voltage driving portion connected between a driving node and an internal voltage node to apply the internal voltage to the internal voltage node in response to a voltage level of the first node, and/or a leakage current interrupting portion to apply an external voltage to the first node to deactivate the internal voltage driving portion and to interrupt the external voltage applied to the driving node to interrupt a leakage current.

2008-08-28

20080204126

COMMON MODE NOISE REDUCTION USING PARASITIC CAPACITANCE CANCELLATION - A negative capacitance is developed by configuring an inductor as two inversely or opposingly coupled windings having different numbers of turns and connecting a capacitance to a center tap between the two windings. The negative capacitance is developed on the side of the inductor having the winding with the greater number of turns. The negative capacitance so developed may advantageously be used to cancel any capacitance or parasitic capacitance desired for reducing power loss, increasing switching speed or reducing or eliminating common mode noise in a swiched circuit such as a switched power converter.

2008-08-28

20080204127

Method for Ultimate Noise Isolation in High-Speed Digital Systems on Packages and Printed Circuit Boards (PCBS) - Improved noise isolation for high-speed digital systems on packages and printed circuit boards is provided by the use of mixed alternating impedance electromagnetic bandgap (AI-EBG) structures and a power island configured to provide ultimate noise isolation. A power island is surrounded by a plurality of mixed AI-EBG structures to provide a power distribution network. In this structure, the gap around the power island provides excellent isolation from DC to the first cavity resonant frequency which is determined by the size of the structure and dielectric material. One AI-EBG structure provides excellent isolation from the first cavity resonant frequency of around 1.5 GHz to 5 GHz. The other AI-EBG structure provides excellent noise isolation from 5 GHz to 10 GHz. Through use of this novel configuration of AI-EBG structures, a combination effect of the hybrid AI-EBG structure provides excellent isolation far in excess of 10 GHz. The AI-EBG structure is a metallic-dielectric EBG structure that comprises two metal layers separated by a thin dielectric material (similar to power/ground planes in packages and PCBs). However, in the AI-EBG structure, only one of the metal layers has a periodic pattern which is preferably a two-dimensional rectangular lattice with each element consisting of a metal patch with four connecting metal branches.

2008-08-28

20080204128

Circuit arrangement with interference protection - A circuit arrangement with an interference protection is disclosed, including a supply line and a ground line, a first circuit and a second circuit. Each of the first and second circuit is connected to the supply line and to the ground line. The circuit arrangement also includes a blocking device coupled to at least the supply line to suppress any interfering signals from being applied to the supply line.

Oscillator bias injector - A oscillator bias injector system for use in maritime applications in connection with a VSAT communication system including a satellite modem connected to a commercially available high power block upconverter and low noise block downconverter which are both connected to an outdoor antenna mounted on a stabilized platform, which antenna sends and receives signals from a Ku-band satellite in geosynchronous orbit. The oscillator bias injector is installed between the block upconverter and the satellite modem such that the RF signal generated by satellite modem is combined with an internally generated stabilized 10 MHz reference signal from oscillator, which summed signal is then combined with DC bias generated by an AC rectifier to thereby provide a means of interfacing a custom designed modem to the block upconverter to improve the uplink speed of the VSAT system. The improved speed allows the user to use the telecommunications system for applications that require a higher transfer rate, such as video teleconferencing and voice over Internet phones.

2008-08-28

20080204131

VACUUM TUBE REPLACEMENT DEVICE, CIRCUIT AND SYSTEM - A system is provided for a solid-state implementation of a vacuum tube replacement device. The system may derive power from a target amplifier filament supply. The system may include active or passive functions for noise reduction, voltage isolation, servo biasing, and other functions. The vacuum tube replacement device is pin-for-pin compatible with standard vacuum tube circuit pin configurations. The vacuum tube replacement device system architecture is equally useful for non-vacuum tube systems such as audio amplifier circuits.

2008-08-28

20080204132

Class-D Amplifier - The present invention relates to a class-D amplifier having a pre-processing unit (

Power combiner - An embodiment of four-way binary power combiner consists of a first 1:1 transformer that combines a 50 ohm output impedance received from an output of a first power amplifier and a 50 ohm output impedance received from an output of second power amplifier to provide a 25 ohm first transformer output impedance at a first transformer output. A first 100 ohm difference resistor is connected between the first power amplifier output and the second amplifier output. The second 1:1 transformer combines a 50 ohm output impedance received from an output of a third power amplifier and a 50 ohm output impedance received from an output of a fourth power amplifier to provide a 25 ohm second transformer output impedance at a second transformer output. A second 100 ohm difference resistor is connected between the third power amplifier output and the fourth power amplifier output. A 50 ohm difference resistor is connected between the first transformer output and the second transformer output. A third transformer combines the 25 ohm first transformer output impedance and the 25 ohm second transformer output impedance to provide a 12.5 ohm output impedance at a third transformer output that is adapted for direct connection to a load.

2008-08-28

20080204135

METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR LOW NOISE AMPLIFIER (LNA) GAIN ADJUSTMENT THROUGH NARROWBAND RECEIVED SIGNAL STRENGTH INDICATOR (NRSSI) - A method for processing a plurality of signals may include amplifying an input signal and generating a wideband signal from the amplified input signal. The method may further include bandpass filtering the generated wideband signal to generate a narrowband signal, and adjusting amplification of the input signal based on a narrowband received signal strength indication of the generated narrowband signal, and/or a wideband received signal strength indication of the generated wideband signal. The amplified input signal may be downconverted to generate the wideband signal. The amplified input signal may be downconverted to an intermediate frequency (IF) and/or to a baseband signal to generate the wideband signal. At least one blocker signal may be bandpass filtered from the amplified input signal.

2008-08-28

20080204136

Distortion compensation apparatus - A distortion compensation apparatus includes an amplifier for amplifying an input signal, a calculation unit for obtaining a distortion compensation coefficient of the amplifier corresponding to an amplitude level of the input signal, based on the input signal input to the amplifier and an output signal output from the amplifier, a memory for storing the distortion compensation coefficient, obtained by the calculation unit, into a write address being made to correspond to the input signal amplitude level, a distortion compensation processing unit for reading out the distortion compensation coefficient from the readout address of the memory, and for performing distortion compensation processing of the input signal using the distortion compensation coefficient, and an address generator for generating the write address and the readout address, based on the input signal amplitude level.

2008-08-28

20080204137

DESIGN STRUCTURE FOR A SERIAL LINK OUTPUT STAGE DIFFERENTIAL AMPLIFIER - A design structure embodied in a machine readable storage medium for designing, manufacturing, and/or testing a design for protection for the transmission of higher amplitude outputs required of differential amplifiers formed by thin oxide transistors with limited maximum voltage tolerance used where compliance with communication protocol standards requires handling voltages which may, in transition, exceed desirable levels is provided by limiting the voltage across any two device terminals under power down conditions.

2008-08-28

20080204138

FULLY DIFFERENTIAL AMPLIFIER WITH CONTINUOUS-TIME OFFSET REDUCTION - A fully differential amplifier circuit according to one embodiment includes a first section for generating first and second output signals on first and second outputs from first and second input signals; a first feedback loop coupled to the first section, the first feedback loop including a second section for adjusting the first output signal towards a common mode voltage level, and for reducing an offset voltage of the first output signal; a second feedback loop coupled to the first section, the second feedback loop including a third section for adjusting the second output signal towards the common mode voltage level, and for reducing an offset voltage of the second output signal; and a filter section positioned on the first and second feedback loops between outputs of the second and third sections and the first section.

2008-08-28

20080204139

Reconfigurable distributed active transformers - Reconfigurable distributed active transformers are provided. The exemplary embodiments provided allow changing of the effective number and configuration of the primary and secondary windings, where the distributed active transformer structures can be reconfigured dynamically to control the output power levels, allow operation at multiple frequency bands, maintain a high performance across multiple channels, and sustain desired characteristics across process, temperature and other environmental variations. Integration of the distributed active transformer power amplifiers and a low noise amplifier on a semiconductor substrate can also be provided.

2008-08-28

20080204140

Compound semiconductor device and doherty amplifier using compound semiconductor device - A lower electron supply layer is disposed over a lower electron transport layer made of compound semiconductor. The lower electron supply layer is made of n-type compound semiconductor having an electron affinity smaller than that of the lower electron transport layer. An upper electron transport layer is disposed over the lower electron supply layer. The upper electron transport layer is made of compound semiconductor having a doping concentration lower than that of the lower electron supply layer or non-doped compound semiconductor. An upper electron supply layer is disposed over the upper electron transport layer. The upper electron supply layer is made of n-type compound semiconductor having an electron affinity smaller than that of the upper electron transport layer. A source and drain electrodes are disposed over the upper electron supply layer. A gate electrode is disposed over the upper electron supply layer between the source and drain electrodes.

2008-08-28

20080204141

Radio-Frequency Amplifier System - A device for measuring voltage levels includes a root mean square (RMS) detector. The RMS detector includes a linear multiplier, a log converter, a low-pass filter and a temperature compensator. The linear multiplier multiplies a voltage of an input signal by the voltage of the input signal. The low-pass filter couples to an output of the linear multiplier. The log converter generates a logarithmic signal having a voltage that is logarithmically related to a voltage of an output of the low-pass filter. The temperature compensator adjusts the logarithmic signal based on a temperature of the RMS detector. The RMS detector is capable of determine an RMS voltage level of the input signal.

2008-08-28

20080204142

LOW NOISE AMPLIFIER - A low noise amplifier includes a main amplifier configured to amplify a first input signal to generate a first output signal and an auxiliary amplifier configured to amplify a second input signal to generate a second output signal. The auxiliary amplifier is coupled to the main amplifier for superposing the second output signal and the first output signal. The low noise amplifier also includes an adjusting unit configured to adjust a time constant for reducing a third order intermodulation distortion of the superposed signal in response to a control signal. The adjusting unit is configured to generate the second input signal based on the time constant and the first input signal.

2008-08-28

20080204143

WIDE DYNAMIC RANGE AMPLIFIER GAIN CONTROL - Linear wide dynamic range variable gain amplifiers can be configured using a variable gain amplifier having an abbreviated gain control range in combination with a discrete attenuator controlled to select an attenuation from a predetermined set of attenuation values. The variable gain amplifier is configured to provide substantially linear gain control over the abbreviated gain control range, where the abbreviated gain control range is less than a total desired gain control range. The difference between adjacent attenuation values in the set of attenuation values is configured to be approximately less than or equal to the abbreviated gain control range.

2008-08-28

20080204144

Input stage for an amplifier - In one embodiment, the present invention includes an amplifier having an input to receive a radio frequency (RF) signal from an output node of a source. An input stage coupled to the amplifier input may include one or more components to aid in processing of incoming signals. One such component coupled between the source and the input of the amplifier is a coupling capacitor used to maintain a bias voltage of the amplifier at a different potential than a DC voltage of the output node. In certain applications, the amplifier and the coupling capacitor may be integrated on a single substrate.

2008-08-28

20080204145

BIAS CONTROL CIRCUIT AND METHOD OF CONTROLLING BIAS OF RF POWER AMPLIFIER - A bias control circuit for an RF amplifier having an output device for providing an output signal to a load and a driver device for driving the output device includes a current mirror circuit for providing a driver device bias current to the driver device and an output device bias current to the output device. When the amplifier operates in a high power mode, the current mirror circuit supplies the driver device bias current at a level to turn on the driver device at a high current level and an output device bias current to turn on the output device. When the amplifier operates in a low power mode, the current mirror circuit supplies a driver device bias current to turn on the driver device at a reduced current level and an output device bias current to turn off the output device.

2008-08-28

20080204146

Wireless Communication Unit, Integrated Circuit and Biasing Therefor - A wireless communication unit comprises a semiconductor power amplifier device and a bias control circuit therefor. The bias control circuit comprises a detector for detecting at least a portion of the RF input signal; and a buffer for buffering the detected RF input signal. The detector is arranged to provide at least one inverted signal of the RF input signal. A semiconductor amplifier device is connected to an output of the bias control circuit and arranged to use an inverted detected signal to extract current from the output. When applied to a Doherty amplifier design, the biasing circuit requires fewer components, for example no video (buffer) amplifier and no delay block are required in the RF path. This facilitates integration of the circuit on a semiconductor die.

2008-08-28

20080204147

Method and System for Power Amplifier (PA) With On-Package Matching Transformer - Aspects of a system for a power amplifier with an on-package matching transformer may include a DC/DC converter that enables generation of a bias voltage level within an IC die based on an amplitude of an input signal to a PA circuit within the IC die. The bias voltage level may be applied to a transformer, which is external to the IC die but internal to an IC package containing the IC die and/or a circuit board containing the IC package. One or more amplifier bias voltage levels, derived from the bias voltage level applied to the transformer, may be applied to the PA circuit.

2008-08-28

20080204148

AMPLIFIER WITH INTEGRATED FILTER - An amplifier with integrated filter (e.g., an LNA) is described. In one design, the amplifier may include a gain stage, a filter stage, and a buffer stage. The gain stage may provide signal amplification for an input signal. The filter stage may provide filtering for the input signal. The buffer stage may buffer a filtered signal from the filter stage. The amplifier may further include a second filter stage and a second buffer stage. The second filter stage may provide additional filtering for the input signal. The second buffer stage may buffer a second filtered signal from the second filter stage. All of the stages may be stacked and coupled between a supply voltage and circuit ground. The filter stage(s) may implement an elliptical lowpass filter. Each filter stage may include an inductor and a capacitor coupled in parallel and forming a resonator tank to attenuate interfering signals.

2008-08-28

20080204149

CRYOGENIC RECEIVING AMPLIFIER AND AMPLIFYING MEHTOD - The present invention discloses a cryogenic receiving amplifier using a gallium nitride high electron mobility transistor (GaN HEMT) as an amplifying device in a cryogenic temperature environment. The cryogenic receiving amplifier includes an input matching circuit which makes an impedance matching between a gate of the amplifying device and an outside of an input terminal, a gate biasing circuit which applies a DC voltage to the gate of the amplifying device, an output matching circuit which makes an impedance matching between a drain of the amplifying device and an outside of an output terminal, and a drain biasing circuit which applies a DC voltage to the drain of the amplifying device. The cooled temperature is preferably set to 150 K or below, and the GaN HEMT may be illuminated with light of a blue LED.

2008-08-28

20080204150

Method and System for a Fast-Switching Phase-Locked Loop Using a Direct Digital Frequency Synthesizer - Aspects of a method and system for a fast-switching Phase-Locked Loop using a Direct Digital Frequency synthesizer may include generating a second signal from a first signal by: frequency translating an inphase component of the first signal utilizing a filtered fast-switching oscillating signal generated using at least a direct digital frequency synthesizer (DDFS), and frequency translating a corresponding quadrature component of the first signal utilizing a phase-shifted version of the generated and filtered fast-switching oscillating signal. The inphase and quadrature components of the first signal may be multiplied with the filtered fast-switching oscillating signal and a phase-shifted version of the filtered fast-switching oscillating signal, respectively. The filtered fast-switching oscillating signal may be obtained by removing at least one frequency-sum term of the fast-switching oscillating signal, where the fast-switching signal oscillating signal may be generated from a signal generated by the DDFS that may be multiplied with an oscillating reference signal.

OSCILLATOR - Provided is an oscillator including: a MEMS resonator for mechanically vibrating; an output oscillator circuit for oscillating at a resonance frequency of the MEMS resonator to output an oscillation signal; and a MEMS capacitor for changing a capacitance thereof caused by a change in a distance between an anode electrode and a cathode beam according to an environmental temperature.

2008-08-28

20080204154

Method and Enhanced Phase Locked Loop Circuits for Implementing Effective Testing - A method and enhanced phase-locked loop (PLL) circuit enable effective testing of the PLL. A phase frequency detector generates a differential signal, receiving a reference signal and a feedback signal of an output signal of the PLL circuit. A charge pump is coupled to the phase frequency detector receiving the differential signal. The charge pump applies either negative or positive charge pulses to a low-pass filter, which generates a tuning voltage input applied to a voltage controlled oscillator. A first divider is coupled to the voltage controlled oscillator receives and divides down the VCO output signal, providing the output signal of the PLL circuit. A second divider receives the output signal of the PLL circuit and provides the feedback signal to the phase frequency detector. The output signal of PLL circuit is applied to a clock distribution.

2008-08-28

20080204155

OSCILLATOR DEVICES AND METHODS THEREOF - Oscillator devices and methods of operating such oscillator devices are disclosed. The oscillator devices include a current source, and an oscillation module to provide a clock signal. The frequency of the clock signal depends on the relationship between a threshold voltage of a transistor at the oscillation module and the current level provided by the current source. The transistor at the oscillation module is matched to a transistor at the current source so that the frequency of the clock signal is relatively insensitive to changes in device temperature.

2008-08-28

20080204156

Measuring threshold voltage of transistors in a circuit - In one embodiment, the present invention includes an oscillator to generate a first frequency and a second frequency. The oscillator includes a plurality of stage cells, each stage cell including a first transistor of a first polarity and a second transistor of a second polarity, each coupled between a first voltage node and a first intermediate node and an inverter coupled to the first intermediate node. In operation, a difference between the first frequency and the second frequency is proportional to a threshold voltage of the second transistor. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR GENERATING A SUPPLY VOLTAGE-DEPENDENT CLOCK SIGNAL - An integrated circuit having a logic circuit having logic elements in a signal path having a signal propagation duration, wherein the logic elements have switching times depending on a supply voltage, and having an input for a clock signal, and an oscillator circuit having oscillator elements having switching times depending on the supply voltage, so that a frequency of the clock signal is adapted depending on the supply voltage to allow signal propagation of a signal through the signal path during a clock cycle of the clock signal in a case of a supply voltage drop, and having an output for the clock signal connected to the input of the logic circuit.

2008-08-28

20080204159

Digital FM Modulator - Provided are apparatuses and methods for digital FM modulation. In one example, a message signal is integrated by an integrator to transform the message signal into a complex signal. The complex signal may include at least two complex components that may interfere to produce an FM modulated carrier signal. Hence, in this example, the method and apparatus for digital FM modulation may produce an FM modulated carrier signal without phase shifting. In another example, a lookup table is not necessary for modulation of the carrier signal.

Pwm Signal Generating Circuit - A PWM signal generating circuit according to the invention includes a digital PWM signal generating circuit that generates a digital PWM signal having a resolution of 2n based on a clock signal CLK and n-bits (n≧1) of digital information; a triangular wave generator that generates a triangular wave (e.g. ramp wave) synchronized with the clock signal CLK; and a comparator that compares the triangular wave with a threshold value. The PWM signal generating circuit increases the resolution of the digital PWM signal based on an output from the comparator.

2008-08-28

20080204162

Microstripline Type Directional Coupler and Communication Device Using the Same - A directional coupler having a grounding electrode on one surface of a substrate, a coupling line portion on a second surface of the substrate, and a main line disposed so as to be coupled at high frequencies to the coupling line portion. The grounding electrode includes a notch portion opposite to the coupling line portion.

2008-08-28

20080204163

Multi-Band Circuit - A multiband circuit includes a signal path comprising a first signal branch that includes a first circuit that is transmissive in a first frequency band and a second signal branch that includes a second circuit that is transmissive in a second frequency band. The first and second signal branches are combined on an antenna side into a common path.

2008-08-28

20080204164

Negative-Refraction Metamaterials Using Continuous Metallic Grids Over Ground for Controlling and Guiding Electromagnetic Radiation - For the cost effective implementation of negative-index refraction, an anisotropic hyperbolic planar metamaterial comprising a first set of substantially parallel, unloaded and coplanar transmission lines, said first set being spaced with a periodicity dy a second set of substantially parallel, unloaded and coplanar transmission lines, said second set being spaced with a periodicity dx, further being coplanar and substantially orthogonal with said first set of transmission lines, wherein the periodicities of said first set and second set of transmission lines being governed by the relationship βx(fr)dx+βy(fr)dy=2π, where: βx and βy are the intrinsic propagation constants of electromagnetic waves of frequency fr propagating along the first and second set of transmission lines, respectively.

2008-08-28

20080204165

Delay filter module - A delay filter module comprising at least one dielectric monoblock ceramic bandpass filter and a circuit for compensating/equalizing the signal delay produced by the delay filter. In one embodiment, the circuit is defined by a hybrid coupler defining at least two ports coupled to a dielectric ceramic reactive termination block defining at least a pair of reactive termination resonators and coupling capacitors. The delay can be adjusted by tuning the dielectric monoblock bandpass filter and/or the reactive termination resonators and/or the coupling capacitors defined by the dielectric ceramic reactive termination block.

2008-08-28

20080204166

Dual Bandstop Filter With Enhanced Upper Passband Response - A dual bandstop filter affects frequencies in a lower passband, first and second stopbands separated by a middle passband, and an upper passband. The filter includes two legs. In one version, one leg is a highpass filter while the other leg is a bandstop filter outputting into a lowpass filter. In a second version, one leg is a lowpass filter while the other leg is highpass filter outputting into a bandstop filter. The first version is preferred when the upper value of the lower passband is around 100 MHz or less, while the second version is preferred when the upper value of the lower passband is around 100 MHz or more. In a third version, one leg is a highpass filter while the other leg is a bandstop filter sandwiched between two lowpass filters, preventing second resonances from the lowpass filter from interfering with desired frequencies in the upper passband.

2008-08-28

20080204167

METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING SURFACE ACOUSTIC WAVE DEVICE AND SURFACE ACOUSTIC WAVE DEVICE - A method for manufacturing a surface acoustic wave device includes the steps of forming an IDT electrode, a first wiring pattern, and a third wiring pattern on a piezoelectric substrate, forming an insulating film covering the IDT electrode and the wiring patterns, forming a photosensitive resin film, obtaining the photosensitive resin film, and forming a second wiring pattern on an insulating layer composed of the insulating film and the photosensitive resin film laminated on the insulating film so that the second wiring pattern three-dimensionally crosses the first wiring pattern.

Tunable Artificial Dielectrics - Tuning devices and methods are disclosed. One of the devices comprises a metal structure connected with artificial dielectric elements, and variable capacitance devices. Each variable capacitance device is connected with a respective artificial dielectric element and with a control signal. Control of the variation of the capacitance allows the desired tuning. Another device comprises metallic structures connected with artificial dielectric elements and switches connected between the artificial dielectric elements. Turning ON and OFF the switches allows the capacitance between artificial dielectric elements to be varied and a signal guided by the metallic structures to be tuned.

2008-08-28

20080204171

METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR PROGRAMMABLE ACTIVE INDUCTANCE - Methods and apparatus are provided for programmable active inductance. The disclosed active inductor devices provide a tunable bandwidth with improved linearity. The disclosed active inductors have a variable frequency response corresponding to a variable inductance of the active inductor. The active inductor comprises a variable resistive circuit having an effective resistance, wherein the variable resistive circuit is comprised of at least one resistor that can be selectively bypassed in the variable resistive circuit to vary the effective resistive. The active inductor has an inductance that can be varied by varying the effective resistance.

2008-08-28

20080204172

TERMINATION CIRCUIT, VEHICLE-MOUNTED CONTROL APPARATUS, AND VEHICLE-MOUNTED COMMUNICATION SYSTEM - The termination circuit for use in a transmission line to transmit a differential signal includes a first series circuit of a resistive element and an inductive element connected between one of two signal wires of the transmission line and a reference potential, and a second series circuit of a resistive element and an inductive element connected between the other of the signal wires and the reference potential. The inductive elements of the first and second series circuits are magnetically coupled such that they generate magnetic fields having such directions as to reinforce each other when a common-mode signal flows along the transmission line, and generate magnetic fields having such directions as to weaken each other when a differential-mode signal flows along the transmission line.

2008-08-28

20080204173

COMPOSITE MECHANICAL TRANSDUCERS AND APPROACHES THEREFOR - Mechanical transducers such as pressure sensors, resonators or other frequency-reference devices are implemented under conditions characterized by different temperatures. According to an example embodiment of the present invention, a combination of materials is implemented for mechanical transducer applications to mitigate temperature-related changes at or near a selected turnover temperature. In one application, a material property mismatch is used to facilitate single-anchor transducer applications, such as for resonators. Another application is directed to a Silicon-Silicon dioxide combination of materials.

2008-08-28

20080204174

LINEAR ACTUATOR AND APPARATUS UTILIZING THE SAME - A linear actuator includes a cylindrical inner yoke made of a magnetic material, a first cylindrical inner permanent magnet joined to the inner yoke, a second cylindrical inner permanent magnet joined to the inner yoke, an outer yoke made of a magnetic material, an interconnecting member interconnecting the outer and inner yokes, a first outer permanent magnet joined to the inner peripheral surface of the outer yoke, a second outer permanent magnet joined to the inner peripheral surface of the outer yoke, a first armature coil made by winding a magnet wire into a cylindrical shape and inserted into the second gap between the first inner and outer permanent magnets so as to be axially movable, and a second armature coil made by winding a magnet wire into a cylindrical shape and inserted into the third gap so as to be axially movable.

2008-08-28

20080204175

ACTUATOR FOR CONTROL VALVES AND/OR SHUT-OFF DEVICES - The subject of the present invention is an actuator for control valves and/or shut-off devices with an actuating element acting on a closing or opening element, in which the actuating element comprises a push or pull rod (

2008-08-28

20080204176

Unequally tapped coil solenoid valve - This invention discloses a magnetically latching solenoid valve and a solenoid thereof. The solenoid includes a coil disposed around a bobbin and divided into two sections by a tap for adjustable pull and release forces to a plunger disposed therein. A first section of the coil, through magnetic induction, pulls the plunger toward a fixed stopper disposed at the lower end of the bobbin and coupled to a cylindrical yoke. A permanent magnet is disposed between the stopper and the yoke. On contact with the stopper, the plunger is held in place by the permanent magnet even after the current flow is removed from the first section of the coil. A second section of the coil, with a differing magnetic induction, returns the plunger. By the operating current at the common tapped junction of the coil, the electromagnetic force generated by the first section will add to the fixed force from the permanent magnet while the electromagnetic force generated by the second section will subtract from the fixed force from the permanent magnet. By using a tapped coil, a simpler and more efficient electronic drive can be used with reduced electrical switching losses.

COOLING DEVICE FOR ARRANGEMENT BETWEEN TWO GRADIENT COIL WINDINGS OF A GRADIENT COIL - In a cooling device for arrangement between two gradient coil windings of a gradient coil for dissipation of the heat (arising upon feeding current to the gradient coil windings) by means of a coolant flowing through one or more coolant channels in the cooling device, two films made of thermoplastic material are connected with one another, and are preformed in a thermal reshaping procedure to form coolant channel sections that are complementary to one another to form an inherently stable coolant channel after the connection.

2008-08-28

20080204180

High voltage transformer and a novel arrangement/method for hid automotive headlamps - A high voltage split core transformer and method of assembling same is provided by which the coupling factor is improved. A split core assembly is surrounded by a secondary winding that is precisely located in a burner assembly housing. Conductive members are encased within the housing and, in conjunction with traces provided on a printed circuit board enclosing the housing cavity, define first and second primary windings about the core secondary winding. This arrangement reduces the number of turns in the secondary winding and allows the use of larger cross-sectional wire which increases the current carrying capability thereof, making the transformer suitable for D1-D5 automotive headlamp applications.

System for Contactless Energy Transmission - System for contactless energy transmission includes a primary side winding and a secondary side winding that is rotatable relative to the primary side winding, a coil core being provided on the primary side winding, whose sectional view in at least one sectional plane containing the axis of rotation is formed as a U shape or C shape around the winding region of the primary side winding.

2008-08-28

20080204183

3D-COIL FOR SAVING AREA USED BY INDUCTANCES - Some embodiments discussed relate to an apparatus, including a planar coil that is disposed in a metallization above and perpendicular to a substrate. Some embodiments include a plurality of planar coils that are disposed in the metallization above and perpendicular to the substrate, and that may be electrically connected, or only inductively coupled. A process includes the formation of the planar coil. A method includes using the planar coil as an inductor that is disposed perpendicular to the substrate. A method includes a plurality of spaced apart planar coils that are used as a transformer apparatus.

PRESSURE SENSOR - A diaphragm is formed at a predetermined location of a sensor chip made of semiconductor material, and a sensor gauge for differential pressure or pressure sensing-use is provided on the sensor chip that includes at least the diaphragm. The sensor gauge has a plurality of sensor gauges synergistically forming a bridge circuit, and are connected to one another with semiconductor resistors, the semiconductor resistors and the sensor gauges are covered with an insulating film, and the number of contact holes, passing through a portion of the insulating film, for electrode line-out use for forming contacts electrically connected to the semiconductor resistors does not exceed the number of sensor gauges.

Switching systems - Distributively associated with each output row of point cells or each subset of point cells in each output row is one or more of a: memory device for storing an address identifying a cell in its associated output row and a decoder device responsive to the memory device for actuating the associated enable circuit to operate the transconductance device of the identified cell; a bias device, and an output cascode device; and also disclosed as switching systems having a bias device including a current mirror with an input reference portion responsive to a reference current and a co-located output local portion for reproducing that current as the bias current.

2008-08-28

20080204190

Method and system for communicating with and controlling an alarm system from a remote server - A communication system is provided that can be added to a legacy alarm system to provide a plurality of communication modes to a remote server system from the legacy alarm system and provide remote control and monitoring to a user of the system via two-way communication links. The communication system can be configured to communicate with an alarm processor of the legacy alarm system through use of a keypad bus typically used by the legacy alarm system for communication between the alarm processor and one or more keypads. Communication modes that can be provided by embodiments of the present invention can include, for example, communication over a public switched telephone network, cellular transmission, broadband transmission, and the like. The communication system can monitor all configured communication modes and determine which communication mode is the best for providing communication between the alarm system and the remote server. Through these communication modes and by virtue of being coupled to the alarm processor via the keypad bus, the communication system can provide both transmission to the remote server of the status and alarm condition of the legacy alarm system as well as provide control signals from the remote server to the legacy alarm system. The remote server provides pre-determined responses to information received from the alarm system, including providing alarm system condition information to a user or a monitoring station for response.

2008-08-28

20080204191

System and method for controlling information access on a mobile platform - A method and system are provided for controlling extra-vehicle communications to a device of a mobile platform. The method comprises establishing a policy comprising attributes for permitting communications to the device, the attributes having selectable states. Access to communicate with the device is authorized based upon a least privilege of the selectable states of the attributes. An information requestor is permitted to communicate with the device when the access is authorized, and the information requestor is denied access to the device when one of the selectable states of the attributes is not satisfied

2008-08-28

20080204192

Electronic key apparatus for a vehicle - Provided is an electronic key apparatus for a vehicle, capable of suppressing power consumption, reducing a verification time, and improving responsiveness of an on-vehicle device. The electronic key apparatus for a vehicle includes an on-vehicle device and a plurality of portable devices. In the electronic key apparatus for a vehicle for activating a control device when ID codes of the portable devices are verified, an on-vehicle device includes a transmission/reception unit, a memory, a reception strength determining unit, a drive unit, and a CPU for sequentially transmitting first to third request signals according to a matching result of verification between the request signal and the answering signal, sequentially receiving first to third answering signals from the portable devices, sequentially comparing each of the received answering signals with the first to third answering signals stored in the memory every time the answering signals are received, and outputting a control signal to the drive unit when an ID code of the finally registered portable device is verified. The CPU transmits the second request signal when a reception determination signal is received even in a case where the first answering signal cannot be normally detected.

2008-08-28

20080204193

Method and apparatus for active RFID network - A method and an apparatus for evaluating an expression embedded inside a communication packet received from an RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) interrogator device are described. The evaluation result may determine a selection with another RFID interrogator device. An RFID data packet may be sent to an RFID interrogator device based on a selection to be associated with the RFID interrogator. A task may be performed based on the evaluation as instructed by a remote RFID interrogator through a command included in the wireless communication packet.

RFID TAG CHIPS AND TAGS COMPLYING WITH ONLY A LIMITED NUMBER OF REMAINING COMMANDS AND METHODS - RFID tags and chips for RFID tags are capable of complying with only a limited number of remaining commands, and methods. In a number of embodiments, a counter is adjusted in association with receiving a command and complying with it. The tag complies until the counter reaches a limit, and then it can stop complying. Non-compliance can be by the tag becoming quiet, or performing other activities, or performing nothing at all, or performing only selected activities, and so on. In some embodiments non-compliance is permanent, while in others it is temporary and/or restorable.

2008-08-28

20080204196

RADIO FREQUENCY TAG AND METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING RADIO FREQUENCY TAG - According to an aspect of an embodiment, a radio frequency tag comprising: a base; a radio frequency antenna disposed on the base; a circuit chip mounted on the base and electrically connected to the radio frequency antenna, the circuit chip performing radio communication via the radio frequency antenna; and a protection sheet disposed on the radio frequency antenna, the protection sheet comprising a flexible material and rigid bodies dispersed in the flexible material so as to prevent the protection sheet from being collapsed when the radio frequency tag is bent and compressed.

2008-08-28

20080204197

Memory carrier and method for driving the same - A contactless memory carrier for which it is not necessary to fabricate a barcode and a tag using separate processes is provided. The memory carrier includes a memory which stores data; a control circuit which reads the data from the memory in accordance with a signal transmitted contactlessly from an interrogator; a converter which converts the read data in accordance with an algorithm; an image signal generating circuit which uses the data converted by the converter to generate an image signal; and a display device which uses the image signal to display a code. The data converted in accordance with the algorithm may be stored in the memory in advance. In that case, it is not necessary to provide the converter for converting data in accordance with the algorithm.

2008-08-28

20080204198

RFID sensor array and sensor group based on pulse-processing - An RFID device having sensor arrays incorporated in its tags. Each tag generates an ID code together with sensing pulses the width of which changes with sensing values. Conflicts between tags in communication are avoided by adding a sleep section to the code sequence. The interrogator reads the ID code and digitizes the width of sensing pulses during the communication with tags, and then calculates sensing values based on the information obtained. Since only discrete signals exist in data acquisition, and the digitization process is in parallel with data communication, the system needs neither ADC circuits nor an extra process for signal digitization.

2008-08-28

20080204199

Method And System For Remotely Provisioning And/Or Configuring A Device - A method and system for remotely configuring and/or provisioning a device that is nonoperational is provided. The device may be, in general, any electronic device that includes at least one setting (“device setting”) that can be programmatically or otherwise established or adjusted to configure and/or provision the device for its operation. The method includes detecting, via a radio frequency identification (“RFID”) tag, a state of a device that is communicatively coupled to the RFID tag; and providing the device setting via the RFID tag when the state signifies that the device is nonoperational.

2008-08-28

20080204200

Systems and methods of locating raido frequency identification tags by radio frequencey technology - Methods and systems with one or more mobile transceivers to locate position of radio frequency identification (RFID) tags via radio frequency (RF) technology are disclosed. The systems called RF Locator (RFL) include at least one mobile RF transceiver and other functional components such as, a globe positioning system (GPS), a processor, and a display. Information of space positions, times and physical characteristics related to RF signals are collected sequentially by the mobile transceiver(s) during RFID tag locating process. The processor calculates the location of the RFID tag by using the collected information. Two methods to determine the location of the RFID tag are disclosed in this invention. The first method is to utilize the information of space positions and times. The second method is to use the information of space positions and RF signal characteristics.

2008-08-28

20080204201

COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEM AND PROTOCOL FOR MEDICAL ENVIRONMENT - A communications system and protocol are described for wirelessly interconnecting a pair of bed and wall units that communicate the patient information, including bed exit alerts, from the patient supporting equipment to the hospital nurse call system. A linking procedure is provided for establishing a communications link to interconnect the pair of units, wherein the communications link fails upon detection of a third communications device simultaneously undergoing the link attempt mode. In one embodiment, the system provides for advanced collision detection by monitoring corruption of the end-of-packet byte within the periodic check-in message sequences between the linked units to prevent data corruption and future collisions. To ensure prompt interconnection of units, embodiments of the invention provide for a link reminder to alert the health care provider to initiate the steps for linking the bed and wall units whenever two or more unlinked units are in proximity.

Voice help-calling system of scooter - The present invention relates to a voice help-calling system of scooter, which comprises a help-calling switch, a CPU connected with the electronic system of the scooter and a voice IC connected with said help-calling switch and said CPU. Said voice IC is recorded with help-calling sound effect in advance, and then connected to an audio amplifier, in turn, to the speaker. In this manner, the voice help-calling system is triggered in case of uncomfortableness happened to the user or breakdown happened to scooter to effectively catch the attention of passerby for help.

Two-Way Automotive Remote Controller - A two-way automotive remote control system for a vehicle having a data bus includes a factory enhancement module, a wire harness adapted to connect the factory enhancement module with the data bus of the vehicle, an antenna, and a remote communicating with the factory enhancement module electronically. The factory enhancement module has a data bus interface, a microcontroller, an antenna interface, and a power supply, and activates the remote in predetermined situations of the vehicle. The data bus interface of the factory enhancement module and the antenna interface are monitored continually. The factory enhancement module accepts and decodes the outputs from the alarm system of the vehicle through the data bus interface. The outputs from the alarm system includes messages according to a predetermined communication standard, which includes J1850. The factory enhancement module accepts and decodes predetermined command messages from the remote in an electromagnetic wave transmission.

2008-08-28

20080204208

Vehicle Surroundings Information Output System and Method For Outputting Vehicle Surroundings Information - A vehicle surroundings information output system includes a vehicle surroundings information obtaining mechanism obtaining information about the vehicle surroundings, an object detector detecting an object around the vehicle based on the obtained vehicle surroundings information, an outputting mechanism outputting information relating to the detected object, a detection reliability determining mechanism determining the detected detection reliability of the detected object, and a notifying information generator generating notifying information that relates to that object according to the detection reliability. The notifying information generator is structured to generate notify information that does not easily stimulate at least one of the five senses of a driver when the detection reliability of the object is low as compared to when that detection reliability is high.

Collision detection apparatus and protection system - A collision detection apparatus includes (i) a bumper reinforcement, (ii) a side supporting member as a side member or a crash box, (iii) a deforming body, and (iv) a strain detecting device. In this collision detection apparatus, frictional force exerted on the interface between the deforming body and the bumper reinforcement or the side supporting member is increased. In the collision detection apparatus, degradation in the detection accuracy of a strain detecting device is suppressed.

2008-08-28

20080204211

Method for establishing the occupation of a vehicle seat - The invention relates to a method for differentiating between people and other objects on vehicle seats, by recording and evaluating the pressure distribution caused on the seat by said people and objects, the mean deviation of the signal at a certain position in relation to the mean signal of the adjacent region enabling the differentiation between people and other objects to be made. The invention is advantageous in that only few criteria are required and the criteria are not bound to any specific sensor structures (metrical, discrete etc.). Furthermore, where required, the individual criteria need only be combined in a simple manner.

2008-08-28

20080204212

Method and Device For Driver Support - In a method and a device for driver support, a directional indicator, e.g., the blinker of the vehicle, is actuated when there is a recognized lane change and a lane-change intention is present.

2008-08-28

20080204213

Sensor Mat Comprising Two Switching Levels - Disclosed is a sensor mat for determining a seat occupation situation of a vehicle seat. Said sensor mat comprises a plurality of sensor cells which can be allocated to a sitting area of the vehicle seat and are configured and interconnected in such a way that an output signal of the sensor mat varies in accordance with the seat occupation situation. At least one first sensor cell and a second sensor cell are interconnected to a pair of sensor cells such that the output signal of the sensor mat exceeds or lies below a predefined threshold value independently of the triggering state of the other sensor cells when the first and the second sensor cell are triggered simultaneously.

2008-08-28

20080204214

Method for Controlling the Driving Operating of Motor Vehicles or Other Vehicles - A method for controlling the driving operation of motor vehicles in which specific driving conditions are detected by rotational sensors located at individual wheels and/or sub-assemblies in the power train, and are then evaluated in a control unit and converted into control commands for specific functions of the vehicle or into warning signals. ABS, ASC or EBS systems as well as automatic gearboxes are controlled in this manner. Rotational sensors detect the current rotational direction and additionally determine of the presence of a rotary motion. The rotation sensors permit numerous functions of the vehicle to be controlled in a simple manner and with the aid of various parameters obviate the need for the calculation of the rotational direction by way of the determination algorithms.

2008-08-28

20080204215

Tire Pressure Control System - A tire pressure control system for a tire mounted to a wheel of a vehicle is disclosed. The tire pressure control system comprises a servo system mounted to the wheel that includes a servo mechanically connected to a vent valve that is in fluid communication with a gas inside the tire. The vent valve is adapted for bleeding the gas out of the tire and into the ambient atmosphere. A pressure sensor is in fluid communication with the gas inside the tire, and a control circuit is electrically connected to the servo and the pressure sensor. The control circuit further includes a signal receiving means and a memory for storing a commanded pressure signal. The control circuit actuates the servo to open the vent valve when the pressure sensor indicates a tire pressure of greater than the commanded pressure. A master control unit is adapted to transfer the commanded pressure signal to the control circuit through a transmission means. The servo system further includes a second servo mechanically connected to a fill valve that is in fluid communication with compressed gas inside a gas supply tank. The fill valve is adapted for bleeding gas out of the gas supply tank and into the tire. The control circuit actuates the second servo to open the fill valve when the pressure sensor indicates a tire pressure of less than the commanded pressure.